Chapter 2 - The Brain

Question 0

What are the parts of a neuron?

Answer 0

Cell Body
Dendrites
Axon
Myelin Sheath
Terminal Branches

Question 1

What is a neuron?

Answer 1

Billions of interconnected cells

Question 2

What is the threshold value of an action potential?

What happens when this threshold is passed?

Answer 2

Between -40 and -50 mV

The neuron fires

Question 3

What is the synapse?

Be familiar with alternative terms

Answer 3

The area between terminal branches of one cell and dendrites of another cell.

Synaptic Gap or Cleft

Question 4

What are neurotransmitters?

Be able to list examples.

Answer 4

Encased within neurons and released at receptor sites.

Serotonin
Dopamine

Question 5

What are the two types of nervous systems in the human body?

What are the subsystems and their responsibilities?

Answer 5

Central Nervous System
> Brain and Spinal Cord

Peripheral Nervous System
   > Autonomic
        • Self regulated action of internal organs and glands
             - Sympathetic (arousing)
             - Parasympathetic (calming)
   > Somatic
         • Voluntary Movements

Question 6

What are sensory and motor neurons?

Answer 6

Sensory neurons enter the brain

Motor neurons leave the brain

Question 7

What is the function of the Endocrine system?

Which glands are contained within it?

Answer 7

Produces hormones that influence our interest in sex, food, and aggression.

Pituitary Gland
   > Releases hormones
Thyroid
   > Metabolism
Parathyroid 
   > Regulates calcium levels in blood
Adrenal Glands
   > Fight-or-Flight
Gonads
   > Male and female organs for sexual development

Question 8

What are the components and functions of the brainstem?

Answer 8

Brainstem
   > Automatic survival functions
Amygdala
   > Fear and anger
Hypothalamus
   > Maintenance activities
Cingulate Gyrus
   > Conscious response to unpleasant experiences

Question 9

What are the components and functions of the Limbic system?

Answer 9

Hypothalamus 
   > Regulates bodily functions
       • Eating, drinking, body temp
Amygdala
   > Fear and anger

Question 10

What are the four lobes of the cerebral cortex, and where are they located?

Answer 10

Frontal Lobes 
   > Behind your forehead
Parietal Lobes
   > At the top and to the rear
Occipital Lobes
   > At the back of your head
Temporal Lobes
   > Just above your ears

Question 11

What are the two types of Aphasia, and what happens in each type?

Answer 11

Broca’s Aphasia
> Impaired speaking
Wernicke’s Aphasia
> impaired understanding

Question 12

What is brain plasticity?

Answer 12

The brain’s ability to modify itself after some types of damage.

Question 13

What are the characteristics of a split-brain patient?

Answer 13

If something is presented in their LEFT visual field they can point to it, but cannot say what it is.

If something is presented in their RIGHT visual field they can say what it is, but would not be able to point at it.